(Alpinia officionalis or A. galanga) Also known as Low John the
Conquerer or Siamese Ginger.

Magical Uses: This versatile herb has been utilised for many different
purposes. It brings luck to the wearer or carrier, and if placed with silver
in a sachet of leather it will bring money. It may be carried or scattered
around the home to promote lust. Wear Galangal to develop your psychic
abilities and to protect your health. Burn the powdered herb to break spells
and curses. Ginger may be substituted when galangal is call for.

Gardenia . . . .

(Gardenia spp.)

Parts Used: Flower

Magical Uses: Fresh gardenias aid in the healing process when places on the
altar or in the sickroom. Add the dried petals to healing incenses and
mixtures. Scatter around a room and add to Moon incense for peace and
tranquility. Gardenias have extremely high spiritual vibrations so they
are helpful in summoning good spirits and used in love spells.

Gardenia flowers will attract new friends and love. Mix the dried, crushed
flowers with orris root and use as a body powder to attract a lover.

Garlic . . . .

(Allium sativum) Also known as Ajo (Spanish), Poor Man's Treacle, Stinkweed
The old standby protection herb to ward off vampires. Garlic is sacred to
Hecate so it was eaten on her festival days and left at crossroads as a
sacrificial offering to her. An herb of Mercury and Mars.

CAUTION: Pregnant women and persons with "hot and fiery" temperaments should
avoid overuse of garlic.

Parts Used: Bulb

Magical Uses: In the home, braids of garlic guard against evil, repel thieves,
and turn away the envious. It is a very effective blessing for a new home.
Garlic was once worn to guard against the plague. It is still used to absorb
diseases. Simply rub fesh, peeled cloves of garlic onto the afflicted part of
the body tehn throw into running water. Garlic is also extemely protective.
Sailors carry some while on board ship to protect against its wrecking.
Soldiers wore garlic as a defense in the middle ages, while Roman soldiers
ate it to give them courage. Worn, garlic guards against foul weather and
monsters, and it also shields you from the blows of your enemies.

When evil spirits are about, bite into garlic to send them away, or sprinkle
powdered garlic on the floor. Garlic is placed beneath children's pillows
to protect them while asleep, and brides once carried a clove of garlic in
the pocket for good luck and to keep evil far from her on her big day.
Rubbed onto pots and pans before cooking, it removes negative vibrations
which might otherwise contaminate the food.

Ginger . . . .

(Zingiber officionale) Also known as African Ginger.

Parts Used: Root

The Dobu tribe of the
Pacific Islanders use ginger in much of their magick. By first chewing it,
they then spit it at the "seat" of an illness, or at an oncoming storm to
stop it while still at sea.

Magical Uses: Since ginger is a spicy and "hot" herb, it is most effective
in love spells. Plant the root to attract money or sprinkle powdered root
into pockets or on money for prosperity. Eating Ginger before performing
spells will lend them power, since you have been "heated up" by the Ginger;
this is especially true of love spells. Ginger is also used in Success spells,
or to ensure the success of a magical operation.

In the Pacific the Dobu islanders make much use of ginger in their magic.
They chew it and spit it at the "seat" of an illness to cure it, and also
spit chewed ginger at an oncoming storm, while at sea, to halt it.

Ginko . . . .

(Ginkgo biloba) Also known as Maidenhair Tree. It is an extremely hardy tree and very resistant to disease and
pollution, which may be why it is one of the oldest plants on the earth.

Magickal Uses: Ginko is an aphrodisiacal herb, and a fertility herb.

Gingko seeds are sometimes substituted for Lotus seeds at weddings and feasts.
The wood can be carved into amulets and charms and carried as a healing herb.
Gingko is very useful in ritual healing, and is considered by some to be the
sacred Tree of Life. Due to the age of this species it is considered an elder
among trees and having a high spirit energy.

Although they have been used as an aphrodisiac, they are useful in all creative
work and may be included in a Handfasting feast.

The nuts, when dried, may be used to represent male fertility.

Other Uses: The famous brain tree. According to recent studies, leaf extracts
increase blood supply to the brain, improving the memory, concentration, and
overall neural functioning, and may relieve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

A German study of impotent men found that half of the men who were previously
unable to maintain erections were able to after six months of taking Ginkgo,
suggesting that it may increase blood supply to more than just the brain.

Ginseng . . . .

(Panax quinquefolius) Also known as Sang, Wonder of the World Root.

Parts Used: Root.

Magickal Uses: The root is carries to attract love, as well as to guard one's
health, to draw money, and to ensure sexual potency. Ginseng will also bring
beauty to all who carry it. It is burned to ward off evil and to break hexes
or curses. The tea is an aphrodisiac. Use a root to grant your wish by either
holding it in your hands and visualizing your desire or by carving your wish
onto it and then throw the root into running water. Ginseng may be a substitute
for mandrake.